Ureparapara Island

Hello All,
We made it over to Ureparapara Island today from Motu Lava. We took a little side trip to the Reef Islands basically along the way. The reef Islands are Vanuatu's only Coral Atoll Islands in the group and if you time it right with settled weather you can anchor outside the reef and explore the shallow lagoon. We didn't have such luck with it blowing 25 knots so we got close to take a good look and then carried on. My position is 13 32.50 S 167 20.30 E. I call it Pac Man Island because of the shape. If you look it up you will see what I am talking about.
Yesterday Paula and Rafal took the dingy about a mile and a half so they could go meet the people of the village of Motu Lava Island and the small Island next door, Ra Island. I stayed behind to do some boat maintenance. They returned right before dark and had a great time. They met Father Lucas's son that rents some bungalows on Ra Island. They said the place was amazing and everyone very friendly.
We made it over here to Ureparapara Island about noon and found a place to anchor. There was one boat here already from Australia. We met him and his wife in Oyster Bay last week and they are working there way to the Solomon's also. We had a little with them and the chief earlier in the village.
Speaking of the village Rafal and I went in to say hello and take a walk around. We met chief Nicholson right away and he invited us into his home. He happens to be Father Lucas's oldest son and moved here with his mother when he was 14 years old. He became chief at 19 and was involved in politics for many years but is now just the chief of the small village of the 223 people who live here and they live very traditional. They only get a supply ship once a year so they grow 99% of what they eat. There is no airport here so the only way is by boat and it is a rough 25 mile trip from Sola.
The Chief invited us all to dinner at his place tonight and we had a great visit. They only see about 15 yachts a year so they are very welcoming to visitors. Yachts really help out the village also by giving a helping hand or trading food stuffs. In the morning Rafal and I are going to help the chief do some work to his new house he is building. That is the other cool thing, they don't have much money so they build the old way. They all live in traditional grass huts with everything made by hand with a few modern things like nails and string. It will be an interesting day tomorrow and I will let you know how it goes.

PEACE